UM Hoops Ranked 3rd in New AP Poll

Canes basketball gets highest ranking in school history after win over UNC

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Miami is quickly becoming the center of the basketball world. While the Miami Heat have been the marquee team in the NBA for the third straight season, UM's men's basketball team has achieved its best showing the in the weekly AP basketball poll on Monday.

The Canes are ranked third in the country, the highest spot in school history, following this weekend's win against ACC rivals North Carolina. UM received 17 first-place votes, trailing only Indiana (in the top spot) and Duke (whom the Canes upset at home in January).

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UM's previous best ranking was the eighth spot, where it was ranked for the first time in 53 years a week ago. The Canes are 19-3, and 10-0 in ACC play. They are riding an 11-game winning streak, one which could catapult them to number 1 if it continues.

"That would be lovely," UM guard Durant Scott said Saturday after the UNC game, "but that's not going to change our focus or determination."

Over the weekend, the Canes had some special visitors at the sold-out Bank United Center on Saturday. Miami Heat stars Dwyane Wade and LeBron James accompanied teammate (and former UM standout) James Jones court-side for the UNC game.

UM coach Jim Larranaga said he received a phone call early last week requesting tickets for the Heat players.

"I told them, 'Sorry, it's sold out.' But then we said, 'We think we can fit you in.' For our recruiting purposes, it gives us a lot of credibility when we tell them we're a hot ticket in town and our program is headed in the right direction," he said.

The Canes have sold out the BUC three times this season, and have four home games remaining before postseason play begins.